Slidable side jaw wrench



Feb. 7, 1961 s. N. NORDGREN 2,970,

SLIDABLE SIDE JAW WRENCH Filed Nov. 17, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR SIMON NILS NORDGREN Hod? ATTORNEY 1951 s. N. NORDGREN 2,970,502

SLIDABLE SIDE JAW WRENCH Filed Nov. 17, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4'4". 'IIIII ATTORNEYS F 1951 s. N. NORDGREN 2,970,502

SLIDABLE SIDE JAW WRENCH Filed Nov. 17, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR SIMON NILS NOR DGRENI ATTORNEYS United States Patent SLIDABLE SIDE JAW WRENCH Simon Nils Nordgren, Centralvagen 14, Rimho, Sweden Filed Nov. 17, 1958, vSer. No. 774,395

Claims. (Cl. 81-126) The present invention relates to wrenches which, to facilitate tightening and loosening of screw heads and nuts being difficult to get at, may be operated by a forward and backward swinging movement of the shaft or handle of the wrench. It is made possible thereby to tighten or loosen screws and nuts which are so located that there is no room for turning the wrench continuously, without the otherwise necessary, repeated releasing and refitting operations of the gap of the wrench on the screw head or nut.

The invention relates more particularly to that type of wrenches in which the adjustment of the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw is effected by means of a manually turnable worm which gearsinto a rack on the movable jaw. T 0 enable the wrench to be used by a forward and backward swinging movement of the handle it is known to mount the handle pivotally to the head of the wrench and to make the worm slidable in its axial direction a distance corresponding to the difference between the greatestand smallest cross-measure of the largest nut or screw head that can be actuated by means of the wrench and to arrange a barring device for the worm, which device is controlled by the handle and retains the worm from axial displacement while the handle is swung in one direction but releases the worm when the handle is swung in the other direction. In the barred position of the worm, the movable jaw is retained in its adjusted position forturning the screw or nut concerned, while in the free position of the worm, the movable jaw can slip over the screw head or nut without turning it.

The known wrenches operating according to this principle have considerable deficiencies either as to their construction or function or both.

The object of the invention is to provide a'wrench which operates according to the principle stated above and affords a satisfactory strength and durability against wear and also a reliable action and a comfortable handling while maintaining the form and handiness of a conventional Wrench.

A characteristic of the invention is that that end of the handle which is pivotally connected to the head of the wrench is provided with a groove situated in a plane at right angles to the pivot pin between the head and handle of the wrench and that the wrench head has a backwardly directed tongue engaging said groove and fitting in it. The walls of the groove thus surround this tongue like a fork, said tongue forming a guide for the handle during its swinging movements relative to the wrench head.

Another characteristic of the invention is that these groove walls are provided or formed with a fork-shaped barring device which in the normal position of the handle relative to the wrench head bars the'worm against axial movement but when the handle is swung outwardsreleases the worm for axial movement and thereby permits a corresponding opening movement of the movable jaw.

A further characteristic of the invention is that there is a locking device by means of which the handle can be locked to the head so that the wrench also can be used as a conventional wrench operating without ratchet feeding.

Still other characteristics of the invention will appear from the following description of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, various embodiments are shown as examples of the practical realization of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment in which the wrench is shown in working position;

Figure 2 is a corresponding side view in which one wall of the groove of the handle is broken away;

Figure 3 is a side view of the same embodiment in which the handle is swung outwards; 4

Figure 4 shows the wrench according to Figure 1 as seen from above, partly in section;

Figures 5 and 6 show a protecting clamp for the worm in this wrench, as seen from the side and, respectively, from above;

Figure 7 shows a section on an enlarged scale on line VIIVII of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a side view .of another embodiment of the wrench head;

Figures 9-11 show examples of other embodiments of the locking device between the head and the handle of the wrench; and

Figure 12 is a side view of still another embodiment of the wrench head.

In the wrench shown in Figures 1-7, 1 represents the head of the wrench, 2 the fixed jaw of the wrench, and 3 its movable jaw. 4 is the handle and 5 is the pivot pin between the handle and the head. To obtain the necessary firmness in the pivot connection between the head and the handle, the head has a tongue 6 which is backwardly directed and central relative to the sides of the head and the contour of which appears from Figure 2. The tongue has parallel side surfaces and engages a corresponding groove 7 in that part of the handle which is situated most close to the head. The walls 8 on either side of the groove will therefore surround. the tonguelike a fork, as is shown in Figure 4. The pivot pin 5 is passed through the tongue 6 and the groove walls 8 adjacent that outer edge of the tongue which lies most closed to the fixed jaw 2. Steps 9, 10 are formed at the transition between the tongue and the remaining part of the head; see especially Figure 3. The steps 10 serve as stopping surfaces for the edges of the groove walls 8 facing the head; see especially Figure l.

The fixed jaw 2 of the wrench is, in the usual manner, formed integrally with the head 1. The movable jaw 3 is, also in the usual manner, guided in a boring 12 in the head by means of a preferably round, stem-like part 11, Figure 4. At that of its sides which faces away from the jaws, the part 11 forms a rack 13 which is uncovered along part of its length through an opening 14 extending transversely through the head. This opening extends also partly through the tongue 6 and has there a counterpart in recesses in the groove walls 8 of the handle. In the opening 14 is a worm 15 which meshes with the rack 13 and is turnably and .slidably borne on a shaft '16 whichyis parallel with the rack 13. The worm 15 corresponds to the adjusting means used in common wrenches for the movable jaw 3 but contrary to this it is axially slidable to some degree. As compared with corresponding openings in common wrenches, the opening 1 has greater dimensions in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 16 as well as at right angles to it. The dimension of the opening in said axial direct on is greater than the axial length of the worm 15, by an amount corresponding to the diiference between the greatest and smallest cross-measure of the largest nut or screw head for which the wrench is intended. In the opening is a protecting means for the ends of the worm in the form of a clamp 3.7 whose shanks enclose the shaft 16 and preferably resiliently bear against the upper and lower ends of the worm, whereby the fr ction between the worm and the shanks of the clamp exerts a braking effect upon the worm so as to prevent unintentional turning of the worm caused by the axial pressure of the helical teeth of the rack upon the threads of the worm. The clamp 17, which possibly may be borne on journals projecting from the worm or on a bushing fitted in the worm, has a pair of backwardly'directed ears 1.8 which clutch the rear edge of the opening 14 and thereby prevent the clamp from taking part in the turning of the worm without therefore preventing the worm from turn mg or sliding relative to the shaft 16. A helical spring 19 surrounding the shaft 16 presses against the lower shank of the clamp 17. This spring serves to keep the clamp and the worm normally in their upper position shown in the drawing. To provide the space required for this spring its bottom part may be partly depressed in a recess in the head,

as is indicated in Figure 2, or else the top part of it may enter a recess around the shaft 16 in the lower end of the worm,

In the tongue 6 of the head is an opening 20 which extends transversely through it and in the case shown is substantially triangular, the apex of the triangle being directed towards the pivot p'n 5. In this opening 20is inserted a helical spring 21 with tangentially projecting end parts, of which one bears against one of the side edges of the opening, Figure 2. The'other end part encircles by tend, each with one arm-like projection 23, in beneath the clamp 17. The two projections form thereby a fork barring the clamp 17 and'thus the worm from possible axial displacement.

A nut or the like, as indicated at 24 in Figure l,

gripped by the jaws 2, 3 is therefore turned with the movements of the handle in the direction of the arrow A, Figure 1. During this movement the wrench functions as a conventional wrench, in which the handle is formed integrally with the head or-otherwise is rigidly connected therewith. When swinging in the opposite direction,

arrow B in Figure 3, the handle will pivot ow'ng to the resistance from the nut 24, around the pivot 5 relative'to the Wrench head lwhich by the nut is prevented from turning. During this swinging movement, the fork 23 is carried away from the clamp 17 and when the swinging of the handle relative to vthe wrench head has proceeded as far as the construction adrnIts and, the handle entrains gripping the nut firmly and entraining it during the continued swinging movement of the handle in this direction. The disposition of the pivot 5 in the upper part of the tongue 6 near the steps 9 causes the lever arm, by which the handle 4 acts upon the stop surfaces 19, to become as long as possible and, consequently, the required power as small as possible. The pivot pin may,vv if desired, be positioned so that its center lies on the geometric axis of the worm, whereby the axial force of the worm does not exert any torque upon the handle in respect to the pivot pin. Those stop surfaces of the handle which face the end of the worm are in this case possibly curved, w.th the center of the curve located in the center of the pivot pin 5.

Through the clamp 17 the worm is protected against wear and unintentional turning resulting from the move ments of the fork" 23 and the spring 19 tends to carry the worm and the clamp to their upper position in the opening and keeps thereby the movable jaw 3 applied to the nut or screw head when the Wrench is used as a ratchet wrench.

The wrench described is intended for use also as a tra-- ditional wrench with fixed handle, by locking the handle to the head. For this purpose, locking means of various designs may be used. In the embodiment of the invention as described above, the locking device consists of a pin or peg 25 which is pivotally borne in a transverse boring 26 in the tongue 6 and the groove walls 8 of the handle. Right opposite the tongue 6, the peg 25 has a recess, as shown at 27 in Figure 7. From the boring 26 in the tongue 6 extends a groove 23 formed along the ,arc of a circle :with the pivot pin 5 as the central point. The width (extension in a radial drection) of this groove is so adjusted that right opposite the tongue. 6 the section of the peg 25 reduced by the recess can be led along :the groove in a certain turning, position of the peg. For

this purpose the peg has, outside one side of the handle 4,- an operating arm 29 which can be'turned by hand, for instance w.th.the thumb of a person grasping the handle with the right hand,'and be adjusted to aposition in which the peg'25 cannot enter the groove 28 and another position in which it can enter it. The lastmentioned position of turning is that illustrated in the drawing; see-especially Figure 2. In the shown example the operating arm is disposed in a depression 363 in the side of the handle and the two mentioned positions of the arm are indicated'by circles 31 marking small cavities in which .a small projection of the arm may be .snapped in.

In connection with the above embodiment of the invention it is to be noted that, thanks to the tongue 6 being engaged in a groove of the handle, the construction becomes considerably more resistive than if'the case were the reverse, i.e., if a'tongue of the handle were guidedin a groove in the head. In that case, the groove ;Walls would get a considerably reduced resistibility, especially as regards lateral strains; Another advantage with this embodiment .is that the hand seizing the handle, when using the wrench, need only come in touch with the unsplit-outersides of-the handle, which gives the same safe feeling as when using a conventional wrench with fixed handle. A further advantage is that the steps -9 and 10 become located sonear the jaws that they always lie outside the hand holding the wrench handle. :T he risk of somezpart of the hand getting pinched be-- tween these steps :and the handle, when the wrench is In the embodiment according to Figure 8, the tongue is so designed that the boring 26a for the locking device will cut the rear edge of the tongue 6 and thus form a cut-in portion. In the groove walls 8 of the appertaining handle, however, the boring is, as before, closed all around. On one side of this cut-in portion the rear edge of the tongue has the form of the arc of a circle with the center of the pivot pin 5 being the central point. This, however, is not per se any necessary condition, for the edge may, if desired, as well be straight. This curved edge is in Figure 8 designated by 28a since it corresponds to that edge of the groove 28 which is most close to the pivot pin 5 in the embodiment described above.

In a certain turning position, the peg 25, which has the same appearance as in the embodiment described above, can slide from the boring 26a along the curved edge 28a.

The cut-in portion arranged according to Figure 8 in the edge of the tongue simplifies the manufacture of the wrench. i

As indicated by dashed lines in Figure 8, the edge of the tongue 6 may be provided with a step 32, instead of following a continuous line. In that case the step 32 is intended to form a stop for the peg 25, which limits the size of the turning movements of the handle about the pivot 5 in the direction of arrow B in Figure 3. If this step is missing, either the peg 22, in cooperation with the edge of the opening 20, or the end of the groove 28, in cooperation with the peg 25, may be used for the limitation of the movement.

Figures 9-11 show further some various embodiments of the locking device between the handle and head of the wrench.

According to Figure 9, the locking device consists of a bow 34 which is pivotally connected at a point 33 on the unsplit part of the handle at a slight distance from the groove of the handle and can be swung between a position, shown in full lines in the drawing, in which it seizes around the lower edge of the groove walls 8 of the handle, and the lower edge of tongue 6 engaged therein and thus prevents swinging of the handle 4 relative to the head 1 in the direction of arrow B, and a position, shown by dashed lines, in which the bow only seizes the lower edge of the unsplit portion of the handle, in which latter position the handle is free to be swung out in the direction B.

In Figure 10, the locking device consists of a disc 35 pivotally mounted at a point 36 on the unsplit portion of the handle and of a lip 37 which extends laterally from said portion and which, by the swinging movement of the disc can be brought into and out of engagement with a recess in the lower edge of the parts 6 and 8. Alternatively, the lip 37 may form a crosspiece joining two discs 35, one on either side of the handle. The disc or discs are provided with a projecarranged other cavities on one or both of the side surfaces of the tongue so that guidingis obtained between the tongue and the side walls of the groove, for instance only around the pivot pin 5 and around the hole 26 and the groove 28 or along the line 28a and possibly towards the barring means 23. The reduction of the hearing surfaces of the tongue having to be additionally worked implies also a simplification of the manufacture. For example, referring to Figure 12, the pivot pin 5:: is positioned so'that its center line lies on the geometric axis of the worm 15 and cavities 6b on the side surfaces of the tongue 6a are arranged so that guiding is obtained between the tongue and the side walls of the groove mainly only around the pivot pin 5a and around the boring 26a and along the line 28a.

What is claimed is:

1. A wrench comprising a head including a fixed jaw, and a second jaw carried by said fixed jaw and mounted for movement relative thereto between a closed position wherein said jaws are adapted for turning the work and an open position wherein said jaws are adapted for moving about the work without turning the same, a handle mounted upon said fixed jaw for pivotal movement relative to said head, and means for releasably maintaining said jaws closed on the work when a force is applied to said handle for effecting a working stroke and releasing said jaws for opening thereof by said work when a force is applied to said handle in theopposite direction for tion for cooperation with pressed-in portions 38 for main- Y taining the discs in their locking and, respectively, free postions.

Figure 11 shows a locking device consisting of a pin 39 which is displaceably arranged in a hole in the tongue 6 and provided with a head 40 and a collar, 41 which is fitted close to said head and can engage a corresponding recess in the lower edge of the parts 6 and 8 and which, in the position of engagement, prevents the handle from being swung out in the direction B. In the position indi effecting a non-working stroke, said fixed jaw being provided with a tongue extending a substantial distance into, and embraced by the walls of, a groove formed in said handle, said tongue and groove being disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the pivotal connection between said fixed jaw and handle for guidance of said handle-during movement thereof and said fixed jaw being provided with a pair of shoulders at the root, andupon opposite sides respectively, of said tongue adapted for abutting the groove defining walls of the handle respectively during execution of a working stroke.

2. A wrench comprising a head including a fixed jaw, and a second jaw carried by said fixed jaw and mounted for movement relative thereto between a closed position wherein said jaws are adapted for turning the work and an open position wherein said jaws are adapted for moving about the work without turning the same, a handle mounted upon said fixed jaw for pivotal movement relative to said head, and means for releasably maintaining said jaws closed on the work when a force is applied to said handle for effecting a working stroke and releasing said jaws for opening thereof by said work when a force is applied to said handle in the opposite direction for effecting a non-working stroke, said fixed jaw being provided with a tongue extending a substantial distance into, and embraced by the walls of, a groove formed in said handle, said tongue and groove being disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the pivotal connection between said fixed jaw and handle for guidance of said handle during movement thereof, said fixed jaw being provided with a pair of shoulders at the root, and upon opposite sides respectively, of said tongue, and said head and handle of the wrench being yieldably biased for movement relative to one another about their pivotal connection for engagement of the groove defining walls of said handle respectively with said shoulders.

3. A wrench comprising a head including a fixed jaw, and a second jaw carried by said fixed jaw and slidably mounted for movement relative thereto between a closed position wherein said jaws are adapted for turning the work and an open position wherein said jaws are adapted for moving about the work without turning the same, a handle mounted upon said fixed jaw for pivotal movement relative to said head, and means for releasably maintainin-g said jaws closed on the work when a force is applied. to said handle for effecting a working stroke and releasing said jawsfor opening thereof by said work when a force is applied to said handle in'the opposite'direction for' eflecting a non-working stroke, said fixed jaw being providedfwith a tongue extending a substantial distance into, and embraced by the walls of, a groove formed in 'saidhandle, said tongue and groove being disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the pivotal connection between said fixed jaw and handle for guidance of said handle during movement thereof, said movable jaw being provided' with 'a series of-rack teeth, saidnieans for;releasably maintaining said -jaws;closed including a worm carried by said fixed' jawIand-r'nounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said'worrn being engaged with said teeth and being operable for actuating said movable jaw, said-'fixed jaw being provided witha *pair'of shoulders at the root, and upon opposite sides respectively, of said tongue, the groove defining walls of said handle being provided with wedge-shaped areas each removably wedged'betw eensone-end"of-the wormand one of said shoulders thereby to secure 'saidjworm against} axial shifting movement and said "jaws againstmovernent relative to one another during a working stroke, said handle being operable for moving said wedge-shaped areas of the groove defining walls away from said worm thereby to release the latter for axial shifting movement and said jaws for movement relative to one another during a nonworking stroke.

4. A wrench comprising a head including a fixed jaw, and a second jaw carried by said fixed jaw and slidably mounted for movement relative thereto between a closed position wherein said jaws are adapted for'turning the work and'an open position'wherei'n said jaws are adapted for moving about the work without turning the same, a handle mounted upon said fixed jaw for pivotal movement relative to said head, and means for releasably maintaining said jaws closed on the work-when a force I isapplied to said handle for efiecting a working stroke and releasing said jaws for opening thereof by said work when a force is applied to said handle in the'opposite direction for efiecting a non-working stroke, said fixed jaw being provided with a tongue extending a substantial distance into, and embraced by the walls of, a groove formed in said handle, said tongue and groove being disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the pivotal connection between said'fixed jaw and handle for guidance of said handle during movement thereof, said movable jaw being provided with a series of rackteeth, said means for releasably maintaining said jaws closed including a shaft carried by said fixed jaw, a u-shaped clip mounted upon 'said shaft, a-wo'rrri engaged with said teeth and mounted upon said shaft between the shanks of said U-shaped clip and forfmovement with said clip axially of said shaft, said worm being turnable about said shaft for actuating said movable jaw, said clip being secured against turning about said shaft, and means biasing said clip and worm toward one end of said shaft, the groove defining walls of said handleabuttingone'end of-said clip thereby to secure saidclip and worm against axial shifting movement and said jaws against movement relative to one another during aworking stroke, said handle being operable for moving said groove defining walls away from said clip and worm thereby to release the same for axial shifting movement and :said. jaws for movement relative toone another during a non-working stroke.

5. A wrench comprising a head including a fixed jaw, and a secondjja w carried by said fixed jaw and mounte form ovement relative thereto between a closed position wherein said jaws are adapted'for turning the work and an openposition wherein said jaws are adapted for moving about .'the work without turning the same, a handle mountedrupon said fixed jaw for pivotal movement relative to said head, means for releasably maintaining said jawsiclosedxon the work when a force is applied to said handleiforveflecting a working stroke and releasing said jaws -for open'ihgthereof by" said workawhen a force is a 'fecting a non-working stroke, said fixed jaw being providedwith-a tongue extending a-substantial distance into,

and embraced by the walls of, a groove formed in said 1 handle, said tongue and groove being disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the pivotal connection between said fixed jaw and handle for guidance of said handle during, movement thereof and means for releasably lockdng th'ehead and handle against movement relative to p v i one-another abouttheir l pivotal connection.

--means' comprisesaipinprojected through the groove deffining' walls'andthe tongue, the opening formed in said tohgue -and throughwhich said pin extends being in the 6. A wreneh 'as defined, in claim 5 wherein the locking form of an,arcuate opening with its center at the axis of the pivotal connection between the head and handle of said wrench, and said pin being positionable for movement'freely in saidarcuate opening or optionally for being locked in an enlarged end of said arcuate opening. 7. wrench as-deiined-in claim 5 wherein the locking -means comprises a pin projected through the groove defining walls and an open recess formed in a peripheral area of the tongue, said pin being positionable for movementof said-tonguefreely relative thereto or optionally for being locked in said recess thereby to secure said tongue against movement relative thereto. 7

8; A wrench asdefined in claim 5 wherein the locking means comprises a 'pin-projected into the narrow edge of'the tongue, and a pin head engaged in recesses formed respectively in corresponding areas of said groove defining wallsa'ndtongue thereby to secure the head and handle of said-wrench against movement relative to one another or optionally disengaged from said recesses for movement of said wrench head and handle freely relativ to one another.

1'0. A wrench comprising a head including a fixed jaw, and a second jaw carried by said fixed jaw and slidably mounted for movement relative thereto between a closed position wherein said jaws are adapted for turning the work andan open position wherein said jaws are adapted for moving about'the work without turning the same, a handle mounted upon said fixed jaw for pivotal movement relativeto said-head, and means for releasably maintaining said jaws closed on the work when a force is appiied to said handle for effecting a working stroke and releasing said jaws for opening thereof by said work when a force is applied to said handle in the opposite direction forleffectin'g a non-working stroke, said fixed jaw being provided with a tongue extending a substantial distance into, and embraced by the walls of, a groove formed in said handle, said tongue and groove being disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the pivotal con nection between said fixed jaw and handle for guidance of said handle during movement thereof, said movable jaw being provided with a series of rack teeth, said means for releasably maintaining said jaws closed including a :worm carried by said fixed jaw and mounted for axialzshifting movement relative thereto, said worm being engaged with said teeth and being operable for actuating said movable jaw, said fixed jaw being provided with a pairof shoulders at .the root, and upon opposite sides respectively, of said tongue adapted for abutting the groove defining walls of the handle respectively during .executionlof. a working stroke, the pivotal connection between thehead and handle of said wrench and said 9 shoulders being disposed respectively proximate the opposite ends of said worm and said handle being operable for moving said groove defining walls away from said Worm thereby to release the latter for axial shifting movement and said jaws for movement relative to one another 5 during a non-working stroke.

1,171,939 Ginsburg Feb. 15, 1916 10 Macneir July 24, 1917 Granberg June 10, 1919 Sherbeck Feb. 10, 1925 Kisner Aug. 17, 1926 Giles Feb. 18, 1930 Nielsen Feb. 9, 1937 Morgan Feb. 18, 1941 Pehrsson July 24, 1951 Mayer Oct. 9, 1956 

